Re: [Harp-L] klezmer on chromatic harp

[Philharpn@xxxxxxx]

Hi again chrome harp fans!

By the way, I gave the affirmative short answer first: YES YOU CAN PLAY 
everything on a standard C chrome. But if you want the full story, go back and read 
my epic response.

One thing I failed to mention is that with a custom-tuned minor key chrome -- 
you get the minor chord that goes with the key on the blow reeds and possibly 
two notes on the draw to go with the key. 

This chord access is one reason why an A key chrome would be better to play 
tunes in the key of A --so you could get the A chord to comp with. If you won't 
need the chord, skip this issue.

I don't have any minor tuned chromes, but I have several brands of C chromes 
in 12 and 16 configurations and a bunch of different keys in Herings and 
CX-12s. Why did I buy so many different keys? I wanted to try them out. 

Why would I spend my money? I can read music. So my C chromes would work for 
just about every situation. I'm not the greatest sight reader but I can work 
my way through lots of sheet music. But I just liked the idea of having a 
chrome in more than one key. You get the right tools for the job. 

Phil Lloyd
Hope this helps


Digression: Ultimately, if someone likes the sound of a free read: Why fool 
around with a mouth harmonica when you can play an all-blow keyboard harmonica 
like Hohner Melodica (piano 36 keys) and arguably more chords than a 
Harmonetta. Plus, anyone who ever put his hand on a keyboard can play a Melodica. 

AND EVEN those who never played a keyboard can make sense out of it. I bought 
a Melodica for about $150 back in 1970 -- the only portable keyboard I could 
afford as a beginning suburban daily newspaper reporter when a Fender Rhodes 
stage piano cost about $2,000 (half my salary at the time).

I've looked at the Harmonetta key layout and unless a player can straddle 
more than one key at a time, you're limited to 8 notes at a time(no thumb notes). 
Whereas the Melodica --the red haired stepchild of the harmonica world -- 
easily allow 10 notes (and even more if you hit two keys with one finger). 

Plus, Harmonettas a rare, expensive, and expensive to repair and re-tune. Not 
to mention difficult to play. (Of course, nothing is difficult if you know 
how to do it. Reading music is not difficult at all, but most harmonica players 
don't for a variety of reasons.)

If they were still being produced, I might be interested in buying a new one. 
But they would probably cost $1,000 or more -- hard for me to justify at this 
point.

End of digression







In a message dated 1/29/09 10:41:43 AM, slim@xxxxxxxxxx writes:


> p.s. Correction: I should not have said "Music of all kinds..." below.
> There are of course many kinds of music that are strictly bound to a
> single key or mode throughout a given piece. Likewise, there are many
> kinds of music that tend to contain subtle or not-so-subtle key changes
> from bar to bar.
> 
> - Slim.
> 
> Slim Heilpern wrote:
> > Hi -
> >
> > With respect to Phil's long answer, I would respectfully disagree with
> > the assertion that it's easier to learn how to play in one or two keys
> > and that the more chromatics in different keys and tunings you can
> > afford to have around the easier everything will be. Some fine
> > chromatic players will of course disagree with me on this point, it's
> > a fun topic ;-).
> >
> > Music of all kinds, including Klezmer, is not really that static.
> > There are often subtle key changes within the course of a song. If you
> > learn how to play in every key on a single chromatic, the benefits are
> > very great, and you don't have the confusion of using different
> > tunings for different styles -- the notes are always in the same
> > place, you simply learn to navigate them the best you can. Some things
> > will be more difficult with this approach and some things will be
> > easier -- that's why there is no absolute right or wrong way to go.
> >
> > I'd also like to mention that "the constant use of the lever" (as Phil
> > puts it) is not a negative thing. The slide is your friend and on a
> > reasonably well-maintained chromatic is not something to avoid. It's
> > there to be used as much as you like and should cause no discomfort,
> > even if you end up doing 90% of a particular song with the button in.
> >
> > Is learning all the keys on a single chromatic a daunting task? It
> > depends on your approach and how much patience you have. Start with
> > one key, then tackle a second... Over time, it will all get to be a
> > lot easier. You'll be able to play in many contexts and styles because
> > your knowledge of the layout of the chromatic is transferable to all
> > styles, and to some degree even to other instruments. In my opinion,
> > you will end up a far better player and possibly a far better all
> > around musician with this approach.
> >
> > Hope this helps....
> >
> > - Slim.
> >
> > www.SlideManSlim.com
> >
> >
> 
> 




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